Real world feedback: 4 post lift for tractor, mini ex, and other equipment

[muckdp]

Hey Folks,

Looking to add a 14,000lb 4 post lift to my shop. I have a mini ex that weighs about 8500lbs, and a Kubota M5040, with loader, and filled tires, that probably weighs about the same. Both have very short wheelbases (81" for the kubota, and the tracks are 85" long on the mini ex). Bendpak lists a reduced capacity for all of their lifts if you are lifting a short wheelbase vehicle

140"+ wheelbase - 100% capacity - 14,000 lbs
120" wheelbase - 75% capacity - 10,500 lbs
100" wheelbase - 50% capacity - 7000 lbs
80" wheelbase - 25% capacity - 3,500 lbs

Obviously the tractor and mini ex would fall somewhere near the 3,500lb limit on that chart. I even called bendpak, and spoke to a salesman who worryingly told me not to be concerned with it, and of course happily sent me a quote. I wrote him back and asked him to put that in writing.. no response yet.

NO OTHER LIFT MANUFACTURERS list a similar restriction. So I'm now looking at a Rotary 14,000lb lift. I also spoke with a challenge rep, who over the phone said my equipment was no problem. But I'm looking for real world feedback anyone has doing something similar. while searching through the forums I found one other member who sounds like he had a similar setup to me, and PM'd him. He essentially said he lifts all kinds of similar pieces of equipment heavier than what I'm talking about with no problem. Any other feedback? If you do lift heavy short wheelbase equipment, do you get deflection in your posts or runways that you don't get with long wheelbase vehicles? Thanks!

P.S. I also have a pile of other vehicles I'd use this for - golf carts, side by sides, jeeps, sedans, suvs, srw truck, drw truck, etc. - I am convinced I will be well served by a 4 post lift, and don't need to be talked into a 2 post. I have room in my building, and my budget to install one of those also if I want to after I've had the 4 poster for a while

 

[4570Man]

I have no experience about your question but I have a 4 post and don’t have much use for it. Having to keep the tires on is pretty limiting and having the lift track under it is pretty restricting. I’d way rather have a 2 post.

 

[fried1765]

I have no experience about your question but I have a 4 post and don’t have much use for it. Having to keep the tires on is pretty limiting and having the lift track under it is pretty restricting. I’d way rather have a 2 post.

Agreed!
I had a two post lift, but lost it to a garage fire.
Was about to move so didn't replace it (insurance me paid full price).
I would absolutely not want a 4 poster!
But....different strokes, for different folks.

 

[Rc4510]

Agreed!
I had a two post lift, but lost it to a garage fire.
Was about to move so didn't replace it (insurance me paid full price).
I would absolutely not want a 4 poster!
But....different strokes, for different folks.

I have a bend pac 9000lb love it.the rotary brand is better but you will pay a lot more.look at spec for metal thickness of each.

 

[Diggin It]

I looked at a few a while back on Northern Tool and it seems that the 4 posters were intended as vehicle storage as much if not more than for maintenance. Many of the pictures showed one vehicle raised and another parked underneath. Not something I would do.


On the OP's question, I can see their reasoning with the weight concentrated to the center, away from the lift points. Maybe with another I-beam type member lengthwise underneath as a stiffener?

 

[keen99]

thinking of your concern of short wheelbase loading - there's another possibility - there are 2 post style lifts that have drive-on platforms like a 4 post. I seem to recall that you can basically swap them out for the swing arms and can go from one to the other. Since they're center mounted, no short wheelbase issue. (and if the posts are the issue, the modern 2 post in-floor lifts are pretty nice....and you can have an almost flush floor)

an open center scissor style drive on would also be an option, also avoiding short wheelbase deflection. these are almost common in the used market because they're used often for alignment lifts.


I know that tractors and 2 post lifts with standard swing arms (and other small odd shaped equipment) don't work well together - and most of the work we do to the underside of a tractor doesn't involve taking the wheels off. so I get where you're coming from.

curious, though - what can you do on a mini-ex from below? I guess track and drive mechanisms?

 

[keen99]

this is what I originally had in mind:

there are also the turf adapters for wheel engagement:


2-Post Car Lift Accessories | Challenger Lifts

Turf Maintenance Equipment & Auto Service Lift | Mohawk Lifts

or even straight up wheel lift adapters:

 

[mike48130]

I looked at the Rotary manual dfor a SM014 and it says:

Note: The EL2 Model was designed for 124” or longer wheelbase at the rated 14,000 lb. capacity (12,000 capacity for QL12).

The EL version is the long wheelbase 215". I don't know which length you plan on getting, but that might be a determining factor. But they don't list a reduced capacity rating.

Do you really need a 4 post for a tractor and a excavator? I could see a few times it could be useful, but probably not worth it for most work that needs to be done.

 

[ovrszd]

I'm sure they are worried about the weight being centrally located on the runways. I understand that. They aren't worried about the structure being able to handle the weight. They are worried about the runways.

I have a 12,000 Forward brand 4 post with two air jacks on runners. I love it. Ten times easier to load/unload the hoist. Great work bench for parts, tires/wheels, etc.

My Son Mechanics for a living. He has one four post and three two posts. The four post gets used 3 or 4 times as much as the two post lifts.

I'm curious to hear the response from Bendpak.

 

[mikester]

I have an 11,000lb two post truck lift without ramps. It handles the weight no problem but trying to lift a tractor without ramps is awkward at best. I prefer the two post because it uses less floor space in the shop. I dont use the lift for the tractor.

I say pick a lift you like with the engineered specs you need...if they down rate short wheel bases then listen to the engineers recommendations NOT the salespersons.